JP7836075B2 - Conveying device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a conveying device.

Conventional conveying devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

This conveying device comprises a conveying surface extending in a straight line in the conveying direction, a chain conveyor for moving articles on the conveying surface, and an opening formed in the conveying surface. A transfer device is also positioned above the upstream end of the chain conveyor. This transfer device drops the articles to be conveyed from above the upstream end of the chain conveyor and transfers them to the conveying device. The dropped articles pass through scrapers located on the return path, fall onto the upstream end of the conveying surface, and are stored in a storage section located on the forward path. This allows for the proper conveyance of articles such as powders and granules.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-237559

However, the conveying device described in Patent Document 1 had problems: it could not lift the object being conveyed, and it required a large installation space. Furthermore, since the object dropped from the conveying device passes through the scrapers located in the return path, the powder or granular material easily adheres to the scrapers and other components in the return path, and this adhered material is prone to getting caught in the sprocket on the upstream side in the conveying direction.

To solve the above problems, a conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a case having a forward path section extending in the conveying direction and a return path section extending along the forward path section, a pair of sprockets provided on the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction, an endless chain wound around the pair of sprockets and circulating within the case, and a plurality of scrapers attached in parallel to the endless chain, wherein the forward path section has a first forward path portion located at the upstream end in the conveying direction, extending horizontally and having a supply port disposed on the upper surface of the case, and extending toward the downstream side in the conveying direction The transport mechanism includes a second forward section that curves upward, a third forward section that curves horizontally as it moves downstream in the transport direction, and a fourth forward section located at the downstream end in the transport direction, extending in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the first forward section, and having an outlet located on the lower surface of the case. The forward sections are arranged in order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction, and the return section includes a first return section located above the fourth forward section and a second return section located below the first forward section.

This configuration allows for a more compact installation area for the conveying device. Furthermore, it simplifies the configuration of the supply port.

This invention offers the advantages of reducing the installation area of the conveying device and simplifying the design of the supply port.

This figure shows an example of the configuration of the conveying device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the downstream turning section of the conveying device. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the upstream turning section of the conveying device. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the case of the conveying device. This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the discharge port of the conveying device shown in Figure 1. This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the conveying device according to Embodiment 2. Figure 6 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the gate plate of the conveying device.

The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, throughout the following drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transport device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

The conveying device 100 is a conveying device for conveying materials such as powders and granules. The materials to be conveyed are not particularly limited as long as they can be conveyed using this conveying device 100. Examples of powders and granules include grains such as rice, wheat, and corn, as well as sugar and bone meal, but are not limited to these. For the sake of explanation, in the following, the downstream side in the conveying direction will be referred to as "downstream," and the upstream side in the conveying direction will be referred to as "upstream."

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of case 1 of the conveying device 100. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the conveying device 100 has a case 1. Case 1 has a forward path section 3 extending in a predetermined conveying direction and a return path section 4 extending along the forward path section 3. The downstream ends of the forward path section 3 and the return path section 4 in the conveying direction are connected by a downstream turning section 51, and the upstream ends of the forward path section 3 and the return path section 4 in the conveying direction are connected by an upstream turning section 52. As shown in Figure 4, the forward path section 3 and the return path section 4 are separated by a partition wall 13. In addition to the partition wall 13, case 1 also has a forward path side outer wall 11 that surrounds the forward path section 3 together with the partition wall 13 and defines a roughly elongated rectangular cross-section in the main part of the conveying path, and a return path side outer wall 12 that surrounds the return path section 4 together with the partition wall 13 and defines a roughly elongated rectangular cross-section in the main part of the conveying path. Thus, the forward section 3 and the return section 4 are each formed in a tubular shape. The forward section 3 functions to guide the endless chain 21 (described later) and the object to be conveyed along the forward section 3. The return section 4 functions to guide the endless chain 21 (described later) along the return section 4. Furthermore, the case 1 is provided with a window 55 made of transparent material at an arbitrary location, allowing the contents of the case 1 to be seen.

The forward passage section 3 forms the transport path for goods and includes a first forward passage section 31, a second forward passage section 32, a third forward passage section 33, and a fourth forward passage section 34. The first forward passage section 31 through the fourth forward passage section 34 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. The first forward passage section 31 through the fourth forward passage section 34 may be continuous, or other sections may be interposed between them. In this embodiment, an intermediate section 35 extending in the vertical direction is interposed between the second forward passage section 32 and the third forward passage section 33.

The first forward passage portion 31 is located at the upstream end of the forward passage section 3 in the conveying direction and extends substantially horizontally. The first forward passage portion 31 has a supply port 36 located on the upper surface (forward passage side outer wall 11) of the case 1. The supply port 36 is an opening for supplying the conveyed material to the forward passage section 3. In the first forward passage portion 31, the partition wall 13 is located on the bottom side of the forward passage section 3, and the forward passage side outer wall 11 is located on the upper side of the forward passage section 3.

The second forward section 32 is a portion that curves upward as it extends downstream in the conveying direction. That is, the second forward section 32 extends substantially horizontally at its upstream end and substantially vertically at its downstream end.

The third forward section 33 is a portion that curves and extends horizontally as it approaches the downstream side in the conveying direction. That is, the third forward section 33 extends substantially vertically at its upstream end and substantially horizontally at its downstream end.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the discharge port 37 of the conveying device 100. The fourth forward passage portion 34 is located at the downstream end of the forward passage section 3 in the conveying direction and extends in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the first forward passage portion 31. That is, the fourth forward passage portion 34 is substantially a horizontally extending portion and extends parallel to the first forward passage portion 31. The fourth forward passage portion 34 has a discharge port 37 disposed on the lower surface (forward passage side outer wall 11) of the case 1. As shown in Figure 5, the discharge port 37 is an opening for discharging the conveyed material from the forward passage section 3, and is provided with a scraper fall prevention member 37a extending in the conveying direction. In this way, the forward passage section 3 as a whole extends in a C shape in the vertical plane. In the fourth section 34 of the forward passage, the positional relationship between the forward passage side outer wall 11 and the bulkhead wall 13 is inverted vertically compared to the first section 31 of the forward passage. The bulkhead wall 13 is located on the upper side of the forward passage section 3, and the forward passage side outer wall 11 is located on the bottom side of the forward passage section 3.

The return section 4 extends along the forward section 3 as described above, and extends outward from the forward section 3, forming a C-shape in the vertical plane. This allows for a compact configuration of case 1. More specifically, the return section 4 has a first return section 41 located above the fourth forward section 34, and a second return section 42 located below the first forward section 31.

Furthermore, the conveying device 100 has a chain conveyor mechanism that moves the conveyed object in the conveying direction. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the downstream turning section 51 of the conveying device 100. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the upstream turning section 52 of the conveying device 100.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the chain conveyor mechanism comprises a pair of sprockets 26 and 27 provided on the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction, an endless chain 21, a plurality of scrapers 22, and a drive unit 20.

The downstream sprocket 26 is positioned in the downstream turning section 51, and the upstream sprocket 27 is positioned in the upstream turning section 52. Each sprocket 26 and 27 is rotatably supported on a horizontally extending rotating shaft and rotates around the axis of this shaft. The downstream sprocket 26 is connected to a drive unit 20 (an electric motor) and is the driving sprocket, rotated in one direction by the drive unit 20. The upstream sprocket 27 is the driven sprocket. Note that, in addition to an electric motor, a known actuator can be used in the drive unit 20.

Multiple pin fitting portions 28 and multiple scraper fitting portions 29 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer edges of the sprockets 26 and 27. The pin fitting portions 28 are recesses that engage with pins 24 (described later), and an even number of them are provided. The scraper fitting portions 29 are recesses that engage with scrapers 22 (described later). The scraper fitting portions 29 are formed every other portion between adjacent pin fitting portions 28. Furthermore, on the portion of the pin fitting portion 28 located in front of the scraper fitting portion 29 in the rotational direction, a projection 25 is formed that protrudes radially outward from the sprockets 26 and 27. In this embodiment, eight pin fitting portions 28 are formed, and four scraper fitting portions 29 and four projection portions 25 are formed.

The endless chain 21 is formed to form an annular shape as a whole, is wound around a pair of sprockets 26 and 27, and circulates within the case 1. The endless chain 21 is, for example, a well-known roller chain and includes a plurality of links 23 arranged in an annular shape and a plurality of pins 24 that pivotably connect adjacent links 23. More specifically, the links 23 include a plurality of outer links and the same number of inner links as the outer links. Each inner link is connected by a pair of plate-shaped inner link bodies connected by bushings that also function as spacers, with both ends of the bushings opening on the outer surface of each inner link body. Each outer link includes a pair of outer link bodies. Each outer link body is a plate-shaped body extending in one direction, with insertion openings formed at both ends for inserting the pins 24. The plurality of inner links are arranged in an annular shape in a row with spacing between them, and the outer links connect adjacent inner links. Specifically, the pin 24 is a rivet and is inserted in the following order: through hole in one outer link body, bushing, and then through hole in the other outer link body. The tip of the pin 24 is flattened, and the outer and inner links are riveted together. This allows the outer and inner links to pivot around the axis of the pin 24, enabling the endless chain 21 to bend. Note that the endless chain 21 is not limited to the above configuration; it may be replaced with, for example, an annular belt.

Each scraper 22 is a plate-like body attached to the endless chain 21 so as to traverse the forward path 3 and the return path 4. The circulating motion of the endless chain 21 pushes and transports the object being conveyed. Multiple scrapers 22 are attached to the endless chain 21 in parallel at predetermined intervals. Each scraper 22 extends from both sides of the link 23 in a direction intersecting the transport direction, i.e., along the cross-section of the forward path 3 and the return path 4. More specifically, each scraper 22 is attached to each outer link of the endless chain 21 in a position extending on a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the endless chain 21. This configuration ensures that multiple scrapers 22 are aligned in the extending direction of the endless chain 21, and the space between adjacent scrapers 22 forms a storage area where the transported article is contained. The material of the scrapers 22 is, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which has excellent wear resistance and sliding properties.

[Example of operation]
Next, an example of the operation of the conveying device 100 will be described. When conveying an object using the conveying device 100, the object to be conveyed is first fed into the supply port 36. The object fed into the supply port 36 falls into the forward path section 3 and is stored there, resting on the partition wall 13. At this time, since the first forward path section 31 of the conveying device 100 is located above the second return path section 42, the object fed into the supply port 3 is fed directly into the forward path section 3 without passing through the return path section 4, thus simplifying the configuration of the supply port 36.

Then, when the drive unit 20 rotates the downstream sprocket 26 with its driving force, the pin 24 engages with the pin fitting portion 28, and the protruding portion 25 pushes the pin 24 of the endless chain 21 that is fitted into the pin fitting portion 28, causing it to rotate along the outer edge of the downstream sprocket 26. At this time, the upper part of the scraper 22 engages with the scraper fitting portion 29, preventing interference between the scraper 22 and the sprockets 26 and 27. The endless chain 21 located in the forward path 3 is then pulled by the endless chain 21 that engages with the downstream sprocket 26, and moves in the transport direction along the extending direction of the forward path 3. Furthermore, in the upstream turning portion 52, the upstream sprocket 27 rotates in response, causing the endless chain 21 located in the return path 4 to rotate toward the forward path 3. Then, the endless chain 21 located in the return path section 4 is pulled by the endless chain 21 that engages with the upstream sprocket 27, and moves in the opposite direction to the transport direction along the extending direction of the return path section 4. In this way, the endless chain 21 circulates due to the driving force of the drive unit 20.

Then, the object to be transported, which is placed on the bulkhead 13 of the forward passage section 3, is pushed by the scraper 22, which circulates together with the endless chain 21, and is transported downstream in the transport direction. The object to be transported is guided by the first forward passage section 31 and transported horizontally. Next, the object to be transported is guided by the second forward passage section 32, and the transport direction is changed from horizontal to upward and lifted. Next, the object to be transported is guided by the third forward passage section 33, and the transport direction is changed again from upward to horizontal. Next, the object to be transported is guided by the fourth forward passage section 34 in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the first forward passage section 31. That is, in a plan view, the object to be transported is guided in a direction that approaches the supply port 36. Then, when the object to be transported reaches the discharge port 37, it is dropped out from the opening of the discharge port 37. In this configuration, since the fourth forward section 34 of the conveying device 100 is located below the first return section 41, the material being conveyed does not pass through the return section 4 but is dropped from the forward section 3, thus simplifying the configuration of the discharge port 37. Furthermore, since the fourth forward section 34 extends in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the first forward section 31, the installation area of the conveying device 100 can be made more compact.

Then, the subsequent processing of the dropped transported object proceeds. At this time, since the transported object is lifted by the transport device 100, gravity can be used to move the transported object in the subsequent process, facilitating the subsequent processing.

As described above, the conveying device 100 comprises a case 1 having a forward path section 3 extending in the conveying direction and a return path section 4 extending along the forward path section 3, a pair of sprockets 26 and 27 provided on the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction, an endless chain 21 wound around the pair of sprockets 26 and 27 and circulating within the case 1, and a plurality of scrapers 22 attached in parallel to the endless chain 21. The forward path section 3 is located at the upstream end in the conveying direction, extends horizontally, and has a first forward path section 31 having a supply port 36 disposed on the upper surface of the case 1, and extends toward the downstream side in the conveying direction The transporter has a forward path second section 32 that curves upward, a forward path third section 33 that curves horizontally as it moves downstream in the transport direction, and a forward path fourth section 34 located at the downstream end in the transport direction, extending in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the forward path first section 31, and having an outlet 37 disposed on the lower surface of the case 1. The forward path first section 31 to the forward path fourth section 34 are arranged in that order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. The return path section 4 has a return path first section 41 located above the forward path fourth section 34, and a return path second section 42 located below the forward path first section 31. This allows for a compact installation area for the transporter 100. Furthermore, the configuration of the supply port 36 can be simplified.

The first forward section 31 may have multiple supply ports 36. This allows for proper multi-point feeding.

The fourth section 34 of the forward path may have multiple discharge ports 37. This allows for proper multi-point discharge.

The endless chain 21 comprises a plurality of links 23 arranged in a ring shape and pins 24 that pivotably connect adjacent links 23. The scraper 22 extends from both sides of the links 23 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. The sprockets 26 and 27 have a plurality of pin fitting portions 28 formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction for engaging with the pins 24, and may also have a plurality of scraper fitting portions 29 formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction between adjacent pin fitting portions 28 for engaging with the scraper 22. This prevents interference between the scraper 22 and the sprockets 26 and 27.

The forward passage section 3 has an opening 111 and is slidable between a closed position and an open position. It includes a gate plate 104 having a closed region 141 that closes the opening 111 in the closed position, and an open region 142 where an article drop-off port 143 is formed and located at the opening 111 in the open position. The gate plate 104 may also have a support portion 144 that supports the scraper 22 over the entire length of the open region 142 in the conveying direction. This prevents the scraper 22 from falling into the opening 111 and prevents the conveyed article from remaining between the scraper 22 and the conveying surface.

(Embodiment 2)
Figure 6 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the conveying device according to Embodiment 2. Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the gate plate 104 of the conveying device according to Embodiment 2.

In the above embodiment 1, the conveyed material is configured to be discharged from the discharge port 37. In this embodiment, the conveyed material can also be discharged from the gate plate 104 in addition to the discharge port 37.

In this embodiment, an opening 111 is formed on the surface of the forward-side outer wall 11 facing the partition wall 13, specifically on the bottom surface of the forward-side outer wall 11, in the portion of the forward-path fourth section 34 upstream of the discharge port 37 in the transport direction. The gate plate 104 is disposed in this opening 111. Note that the position of the opening 111 is not limited to the above position.

The gate plate 104 is a plate-like body with a closed region 141 and an open region 142 on its upper surface. The gate plate 104 is supported by a slider (not shown) that allows it to slide between a closed position and an open position. The closed region 141 is located at the opening 111 in the closed position and closes the opening 111. The open region 142 is located at the opening 111 in the open position and opens the opening 111. The closed region 141 and the open region 142 are regions of the same shape as the opening 111 and are located side-by-side in a direction traversing the forward path 3. Therefore, by sliding the gate plate 104 in the direction in which the closed region 141 and the open region 142 are aligned, the opening 111 can be opened and closed. Thus, the conveying device according to this embodiment has two discharge paths, the discharge port 37 and the opening 111, and the discharge path can be switched by switching the open/closed state of the opening 111.

The open area 142 of the gate plate 104 has a drop port 143 and a support section 144. The support section 144 is arranged to support the scraper 22 over the entire area in the transport direction. That is, the support section 144 has, for example, a pair of side edge support sections 144a, a central support section 144b, and a pair of oblique support sections 144c. The pair of side edge support sections 144a each extend from the upstream end of each side edge of the open area 142 toward the downstream side in the transport direction along the side edge of the open area 142, and extend to the midpoint between the upstream and downstream ends of the open area 142. The central support section 144b extends from the upstream end of the central part in the direction traversing the forward path 3 of the open area 142 toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and extends to a position slightly upstream of the downstream end of the side edge support section 144a. The pair of oblique support sections 144c extend from the downstream end of the central support section 144b toward the downstream ends of each side edge of the open region 142, traversing the forward path section 3. The drop port 143 opens in the remaining portion of the open region 142 where the support sections 144 are formed.

As a result, when the scraper 22 sliding on the open area 142 is located in the transport direction from the upstream end of the open area 142 to the downstream end of the central support 144b, it is supported by the side edge support 144a and the central support 144b, preventing it from falling into the drop port 143. Furthermore, when the scraper 22 is located in the transport direction from the downstream end of the central support 144b to the downstream end of the side edge support 144a, it is supported by the side edge support 144a and the oblique support 144c, preventing it from falling into the drop port 143. Moreover, when the scraper 22 is located in the transport direction from the downstream end of the side edge support 144a to the downstream end of the open area 142, it is supported by the oblique support 144c, preventing it from falling into the drop port 143. Thus, the support portion 144 of the scraper 22, which slides over the open region 142, is configured to support the scraper 22 over the entire area of the open region 142 in the transport direction. Note that the configuration of the support portion 144 is illustrative and not limited to the above-described form.

Furthermore, the drop port 143 is open over the entire area in the direction that crosses the forward path 3 of the open region 142 (the direction perpendicular to the transport direction). That is, in the area where the side edge support portion 144a is formed in the direction that crosses the forward path 3, the drop port 143 is open downstream of the downstream end of the side edge support portion 144a. Also, in the area where the central support portion 144b is formed in the direction that crosses the forward path 3, the drop port 143 is open downstream of the upstream end of the oblique support portion 144c. In other areas in the direction that crosses the forward path 3, the drop port 143 is open downstream of the upstream end of the open region 142. Therefore, the scraper 22 moving on the open region 142 passes over the drop port 143 at all points in the direction that crosses the forward path 3. Therefore, almost all items contained in the space between adjacent scrapers 22 are dropped into the drop port 143 by passing over the open area 142.

(Embodiment 3)
In Embodiment 1, the conveying device 100 has one supply port 36. However, it is not limited to this, and the conveying device may be configured to have multiple supply ports 36 arranged in the direction of conveying. This allows for proper multi-point feeding.

(Embodiment 4)
In Embodiment 2, the conveying device has one opening 111. However, it is not limited to this, and the conveying device may be configured to have multiple openings 111 arranged in the conveying direction. This allows for more appropriate multi-point discharge.

From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of its structure and/or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 Case 3 Forward path 4 Return path 21 Endless chain 22 Scraper 23 Link 24 Pin 26 Downstream sprocket 27 Upstream sprocket 31 First forward path section 32 Second forward path section 33 Third forward path section 34 Fourth forward path section 36 Supply port 37 Discharge port 41 First return path section 42 Second return path section 100 Conveying device

Claims (4)

A case having a forward path section extending in the transport direction and a return path section extending along the forward path section,
A pair of sprockets provided on the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction,
An endless chain that is wound around the pair of sprockets and circulates within the case,
The endless chain comprises a plurality of scrapers attached in parallel to the endless chain,
The forward passage section comprises: a first forward passage portion located at the upstream end in the conveying direction, extending horizontally and having a supply port provided on the upper surface of the case; a second forward passage portion that curves upward as it proceeds downstream in the conveying direction; a third forward passage portion that curves horizontally as it proceeds downstream in the conveying direction; and a fourth forward passage portion located at the downstream end in the conveying direction, extending in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first forward passage portion, and having a discharge port provided on the lower surface of the case. The forward passage portions 1 through 4 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction.
The return section comprises a first return section located above the fourth forward section and a second return section located below the first forward section.
The endless chain comprises a plurality of links arranged in a ring and pins that swingably connect adjacent links.
The scraper extends from both sides of the link in a direction intersecting the conveying direction,
A conveying device wherein the sprocket has a plurality of pin fitting portions formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction for fitting with the pin, and a plurality of scraper fitting portions formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction between adjacent pin fitting portions for fitting with the scraper. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the forward path first portion has a plurality of supply ports. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth forward passage portion has a plurality of discharge ports. The forward section has an opening,
The gate plate is slidable between a closed position and an open position, and has a closed region that closes the opening in the closed position, and an open region that is located at the opening in the open position, where an article drop-off port is formed.
The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the gate plate has a support portion that supports the scraper over the entire area of the open region in the conveying direction.